I actually like Gordon Ramsay, though he's a arse at times. Seems many good chef's have an angst built in to them and are perfectionist.

Interesting history with him as a former athelete. But he's got solid credentials.

His books are classically inclined toward French and Spanish, and are not for the cook looking for a quick an easy meal, but a good meal. They're complicated and involved and require non ordinary ingredients (truffles, creme freasch, etc)

My first favorite was Juia Child. As a kid who liked cooking, I'd watch her with my mom and we'd write recipes and try them.

Our favorite is Alton Brown (although he would never label himself a chef, nor would have Julia Child) because he appeals to both the engineering/science side of things (you gotta love his cold bacon smoker from the "Scrap Iron Chef" episode or his cardboard-box hot smoker from his Salmon episode) and has a very python-esque sense of humor.

My favorite celebrity chef is Bobby Flay because he is a great chef and has wonderful recipes. I have eaten in his restaurants numerous times when he was actually there, he is very knowledgeable, and with his Cooking Network program, Showdown, he isn't afraid to lose, he often does, and he is a great sport about it.

I would love to see Alton Brown compete on "The Iron Chef." I know it would be a great contest, except Alton would need his sous chef to do the plating, since he admits he likes it very simple and doesn't think much about plating the dishes.

.........My favorite celebrity chef is Bobby Flay because he is a great chef and has wonderful recipes. I have eaten in his restaurants numerous times ...

interesting.

I was working Vegas for 3 yrs; went to Mesa Grill.
Flay's 'sauces' are a thing of delight, even for me who is not a 'burn off yo' lips' fan.

I found Mesa Grill extremely overpriced. like double any imaginative number.

had the shellfish on rocksalt appetizer (Oysters Rockefeller...?) found it over cooked, dry and tough, the waitstaff said I should sent him a email.
not exactly my anticipated reaction.

otoh, done Emeril's steak joint and the fish joint - and was very pleased.
did Delmonico in New Orleans and altho the dishes were very good, the noisy echoing dining 'Saal' severely detracted from the experience.

Of course, I also liked the Galloping Gourmet, Graham Kerr. Especially when he brought out the vino to incorporate into the dish (or perhaps take a few sips of while cooking). Very entertaining. He makes cooking fun! And enjoys himself at the same time.

Nothing wrong with Chef Ramsey, either. Like his down-to-earth cooking style. Fresh ingredients, good tastes, healthy food choices. What's not to like? The guy knows how to make money with a restaurant. No one better at that, hands down.

I don't think of any of the ones I actually like as "celebrity" chefs. But quibbling over nomenclature aside and in no particular order:

Martin Yan
Julia Child (even though I would actually cook almost nothing from her show)
Galloping Gourmet
Alton Brown (even though he gets it wrong, he gets it right more often than most anybody else)
The Cajun Chef - Justin ... ??? Wilson???? can't remember his last name
Frugal Gourmet, scandal notwithstanding
The Vah Chef = vahrevah.com = Sanjay Thumma